Log Edited by MUSHLogger 1.0d1 for BBEdit by Orca@TF2005. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pacific Ocean Time: Tue Oct 15 13:32:44 PST 2013 Aquatic Tank idly patrols through the midday waters, sunshine making the seaspray upon its outer hull sparkle. Indeed there's other sparkles as well....but of a much darker nature. The dark toned, armored form of one of the new Unispawn cuts effortlessly through Earth's atmosphere, the crescent shaped fighter dipping down to almost touch the waves, as it soars effortlessly across them. Aquatic Tank lists slightly to its starboard side as it cuts to turn into a wave. Slicing through the rolling wall of water, the vessel heaves into the air and subsequently crashes back into the water. Reaver Fighter continues on it's own course, nimbly slipping to the side to avoid any waves that wash in it's direction. One particularly large swell looms up on it's right side, and with a slow bank, it easily cuts across the length of it. It's now that the forces of strange fates plays its hand, sending the Reaver into the clear.......yet heading -straight- for the aquatic tank head on! Aquatic Tank 's bow levels back onto the surface of calmer water. As it planes back out, visual indicators alarmingly notice the sudden approach of the strange craft. Slowing its speed, the hydrotank points directly at the other craft and sends an identification request signal on broadband radio. Reaver Fighter WAS rather caught up in the moment, what with thoughts of such things as memories about Earth.....from a past life. He WAS of course....until Orca broadcast towards him. Now the fighter's course switches immediately to compensate, the radio signal acting as a beacon for him to home in on. "Well now....perhaps my first Cybertronian encounter on Earth...." he muses silently, Orca's ID requests going unanswered of course. Aquatic Tank rocks up and down with the waves, engines shifting into neutral. The same signal is broadcast from the vessel, followed by a simple three-tone signal. Reaver Fighter angles to the side now, rising upwards, above the waves.....gaining height as he adopts an orbital pattern around the aquatic Autobot. His sensors scan downwards, noting the makeup of the craft. "Imagine my luck....." he broadcasts audibly, amusement tinging his tone. "....to decide to visit this insignifigant mudball.....and I discover another Autobot. It certainly saves me a trip to your base..." he chuckles darkly. Reaver Fighter The craft before you almost looks like a big wing. The cockpit is small, with the wings extending from either side of it, and curving downwards. A pair of laser ports extend from either side of the cockpit....and the craft has a pair of powerful engines mounted on it's back. it practically advertises speed and maneuverability... Orca's voice transmission comes in through with cautious concern. "This is Orca on patrol off the California coast... I have visual sighting of an unidentified craft--markings unknown. Identification requests have gone with negative response." Silverbolt says, "Orca... this is Silverbolt... proceed with caution. I'll see if I can send an air patrol out to the coast if you need backup. Are you in need... over?" Aquatic Tank watches the craft attentively, as if trying to analyze its movements. The whine of the hydrotank's engines begin to whine as they are powered back to capacity. Water sprays behind the boat for a split second, but then stops. It remains in a stationary position with its engines prepared for throttle as necesary. Reaver Fighter angles around again, this time to fly directly -over- Orca's form at high speed, kicking up sprays of seawater in his wake. "Do you also lay claim to this planet's oceans Autobot?" he calls cooly, pulling upwards again after making his pass. Aquatic Tank activates an external speaker. It appears the vessel is cognizant of its own identification as an Autobot. The voice of the Aquabot responds, "I have no such claim to the waters of this world." Spinning slowly in the water, it attempts to losely track the other craft. Reaver Fighter hmmmms, angling back to swoop over Orca's form again. "A pity....such a vast expanse and you will not take advantage of it. But then......that's what you do don't you?" he chuckles darkly. "...your sense of nobility wouldn't allow you to seize it from the innocent inhabitants of this mudball hmmmm?" he speaks as if it were rather an amusing thought. Aquatic Tank responds matter-of-factly, "I take advantage of it enough right now. I don't really feel the need to lay claim to it as my own." Reaver Fighter swerves around again, coming back for seemingly a third pass. Except....this time, he transforms, soaring to a hover just above the Aquabot in mid-air. His four wings extend outwards, giving a quick flap as he hovers. The crimson optic visor on his face shimmers brightly, as his mouth quirks into a sneer. "Everyone has an equal opprotunity to it after all..." The Reaver's wings split in half, revealing arms and legs that unfold into Charon's form. Charon Death. That's all that radiates from this being. What was once the Decepticon known as Bushido has been perverted to the most opposite end of his former personality. What was once a form that was deeply purple, and almost always resigned.....has now become a dark blue instrument of chaos. His legs curve gently upwards, aerodynamic in every aspect. His waist is thin, sporting to a strong upper body. Thick upper arms move down to even thicker forearms.....which end in long fingered hands. His head has a single crest that sweeps backward, and down the very middle of his back. Four curved, sharp tipped wings also stick out from his back, curving downwards and almost touching the ground. But by far.....the worst perversion of all is his face. Where once there was an expression of almost eternal calm and thoughtfulness.....there is now a feral smirk......and an arrogance that seems to almost ooze from him. No more are the two blue optics that used to glow softly.......now there is a crimson optic band....which burns malevalently. Bushido the warrior is dead........behold Charon the assassin. Orca fainly murmers, "...why do I get the feeling this won't be good..." Silverbolt says, "I repeat... do you need an air patrol sent to the coast Orca?" Small swirls of water form under the bow of the hydrotank as it moves backward several meters. Its bow remains pointed toward the other Transformer. Charon's wings give a light 'flap', sending him soaring gently after the watercraft, his arms hanging looseley at his sides, bent at the elbows. His hands remain clenched into light fists as well. "Well now..." he murmers gently. "What is the matter? Aren't you......enjoying our conversation?" Aquatic Tank transmits: "What is the opportunity you would like to take with the oceans of this planet?" Charon smirks. "Opportunity?" his arms shift to the sides....making an oh so slight shrugging motion. "I do not require one....as this planet has little use to me. But I would claim them just the same...." With sounds of shifting hydraulics, the black and white hydrotank seems to split in half, its bow moving apart and forming into arms. The large propulsion turbines at its rear fold along to the very top of the vehicle. Legs unfold from below as the black helm of Orca rises up from the middle of the vessel. Orca unfolds from his vehicular mode as straightens his legs underneath the water. Bubbles form with a boiling tenacity at his feet as his aquathrusters push him to stand upon the water. Holding his arms to his side and extending them, he asks, "Then allllllll this vast expanse would be enough to pique your interest just because it's here?" Charon chuckles, his wingtips clacking together for a moment, before giving another flap as he's held aloft. They really don't contribute to that, it's his anti-gravs that do the work. But boy does it help with that demonic image. "Not just this vast expanse......everything. This planet....this solar system. All of it is of interest to my Master....." Orca's optics dim slightly. "You said this planet had no interest to you," he recalls. "But it does for your master. Would it be too much to request some clarification on that?" Charon's smirk deepens. "I have no use for such a world as this......but it is rich. Rich in power...rich in resources. A viable source of fuel........" his wings extend fully outwards, as he moves his hands to indicate skywards. "That which will greatly fuel the might of Unicron...." Orca's arms fall slowly back to his side. The bewildered expression on the Aquabot's face contains a myriad of reactions... fear, intrigue, surprise... He shakes his head slowly and says, "I cannot believe that will come to happen." Charon appears unperturbed by Orca's reaction, in fact his amused glare to the situation growing all the more. "Nor do many.....but it WILL happen. It is destiny......" he breathes quietly. First one forearm raises upwards in front of him.....then the other. A metallic *SHINKT!* rings forward, as two razorsharp blades extend from his forearm housings. "Sadly to say......it is a destiny, that you will not be around to witness...." Orca's optics flash brightly. The thick black arms of the Autobot thrust reflexively forward. A small glow begins to shimmer in his right hand. Stretching as it extends, the shaft of light splits into three prongs at its upper end. Orca grabs the trident just under the base of the prings and levels the glowing weapon horizontally before himself. Charon angles downwards....to floating just above the waves ahead of Orca. He notes the weapon's arrival with a slight shimmer in his optic band. "Careful Autobot...." he soothes gently. "How do you know I was not once one of your comrades...?" a poisonous gleam alights onto his features. Orca curtly asks, "Are you a comrade now?" Charon's optic visor ripples with amusement again. "No." he says without a single drop of hesitation. "Nor is your precious Rodimus Prime. He is as much dead as the one who once occupied my shell.....and those of the others." The edges of Orca's mouth flinch uncomfortably. "And the one who once occupied your shell. Who was he?" the Aquabot inquires. Charon lifts his head high, with a light chuckle. "Not one who you were familiar with Aquabot. That I am certain. There are others however, who at one time you may have called allies...." his mouth twists at the edge, showing his clenched jawline. "Or friends....." Orca murmers under his breath, "...at one time..." Charon smirk draws out further. "Yes.....at one time Aquabot. No more. They have realized their destiny.....and that is to serve our Master faithfully...." his anti-gravs give a small burst, and he soars forward again, dangerously close. "Who knows.....perhaps he may bless you by allowing you to join us..." Orca wraps his fingers tightly around the glowing shaft of the trident. "Service without free will is something in which I have no wish to participate," he disapprovingly remarks. "Such a 'blessing' is a curse in disguise." Charon just looked at you. Charon chuckles darkly, his wings folding down over his shoulders, almost as if allowing him to leer over the aquabot. "You would embrace it..." he calls cooly. "Bushido embraced it.....Caern embraced it...even Rodimus Prime embraced it..." Goading for a reaction? Perhaps.....or then again maybe he's just enjoying the discomfort he's causing. Orca wrings his hands around the trident. "You and I both know the 'embracing' of such servitude is nothing more than a euphemistic lie," he retorts. "No thought is your own without the approval of your Master. None of you are anything more than pawns to be used at his disposal." Charon draws closer yet again. "Noo.." he hisses evenly. "....we have been granted the status of gods. Power beyond comprehension, for the small price of serving Unicron faithfully. No one can resist such an offer. Not even the likes of Megatron were able to, even your beloved leader has fallen." Orca shakes his head. "You're distorting the truth," he protests. "None of them... none of you... had any choice in what was to become of you. That power is not without comprehension... the Matrix has proven that in the past." Charon cuts in. "The Matrix..." he speaks the word slowly...as if it were a taboo. But his features draw into that of a triumphant beam. "...no longer exists. Your precious artifact will not save you this time....." Orca blinks. "D-d-destroyed?" he stammers. Charon's deep chuckle resonates through his internals. "What did you -think- happened to it?" he asks, soaring to the side somewhat, his arm blades gleaming as the sunlight catches them. "What did you suppose it meant when Hooke held it aloft....while Rodimus was ripped limb from limb. His final screams of agony put across every broadcast in this Universe as testamount to Unicron's victory?" Idle message from Soundwave: semi idle, doping the fachead thing elsemu Orca scowls, "I don't expect you to understand what that meant to us, but why should I think the Matrix was destroyed last time when it couldn't be previously?" Charon rises somewhat higher, arms splayed outwards.....his wings dipping back. "Because......" he intones, optic visor blazing brightly. ".....Unicron is a god. And the only one who could use it.....is now in servitude to him. You have long since lost this war Autobot....." he sneers, suddenly darting forward, arm blades flashing brightly. "You only have yet to realize it!" Orca snaps, "The prophets of false gods and deities typically fail to realize their clouded vision until the long night comes!" The Aquabot defensively raises teh shaft of the trident before him. Charon cuts hard to the side as the Aquabot moves to defend himself....and slashes viciously in both directions with his blades, cutting together in a scissorlike movement, as if counting on the fact that he may be hard pressed to defend himself from both sides at once. "Come then Autobot...let us see what you are made of. Will your sigil be worthy to stand beside those I have already plundered?" Orca angles his footjets to propel himself backward in an attempt to roll with the blows. He thrusts his right arm forward to parry the thrust on that side, but in doing so clearly exposes the opposite side of his torso. Only after succesffuly parrying the blow on one side does Orca realize he already made the first mistake of this battle. Charon is of course hardly one to pass down an opportunity. And that exposed flank comes on the receiving end of a horrific side-slash of a molecularly sharpened blade. "Yes Autobot....do battle with me. Prove your fighting prowess....so that I may slay you in combat and display your defeated form for others to see." Orca grimaces in pain as the scraping sound of sheared metal shreds the air. The black and white plating seems to split apart at the blade's entry point. Orca glares at his opponent and sneers, "You'll have to do a lot better than that, servant..." Releasing his left hand from the trident, he holds an open palm toward the face of the Unicron-spawn. Tens of tiny porous holes in the Aquabot's hand open as a flock of tiny urchin-dary spray forth from his palm. Several of the darts strike home, imbedding lightly into Charon's curved armor plating....but many of them simply being deflected in the process. With a malicious smirk....one of his hands darts forward, to seize the outstretched wrist. "Oh I fully intend to Autobot....merely watch..as I demonstrate....." With a savagely quick maneuver, he brutally wrenches backwards, sending his other elbow forward at the same time for Orca's faceplate. Orca's head jerks back at an ackward angle upon the hard impact of the elbow. He extends backward and falls with a smack onto the surface of the water. Slightly stunned, the Aquabot shakes his head several times and peers up toward Charon with a glazed look. Thin, batlike wings envelop the Unispawn tightly....much like a protective cloak for a few seconds. They then unfold, propelling him forward to hover over the Aquabot again. "A shame..I was really hoping this would prove to be a challenge...." he grates quietly, allowing his right arm blade to extend again. Orca reaches behind his back as if grabbing for something. There is the muffled sound of a KER-PLUNK from under him as the Aquabot makes a disgruntled look. He starts to right himself as he keeps his eyes fixes on the glaring optics of Charon. Under the water's surface, something circles away from where the Aquabot had landed. Charon smirks deeply. "Do not worry Autobot........your corpse shall make good slag when melted in the processing vats. One way or another....you will become one with Unicron...." his crimson optic visor flares brightly....then gives way to a steady glow, unleashing a thick, red beam that cuts through the air towards the Aquabot's form. Orca glares toward Charon and snarls, "Even if a corpse is all I'll be, at least I will have gotten there under my own free wi----YEAARRG!!" The Aquabot screams with a deep howl as the red optic beams sear his upper left torso. The cover to his cockpit shatters into chunks of plastiglass which plop into the water. Orca raises his right hand into a fist. There is the sound of a splash behind Charon as the white hoverboard careens from the water through the air toward the back of Charon. CRUNCH! To say that Charon wasn't expecting that is an understatement, and the attack catches him square in the back. With a growl of suprise, the Unispawn tumbles forward, flailing for a moment, then landing hard onto the surface of the water with an almightly splash, and a kickup of water in all directions. It's a few moments before the frothing clears.......and when it does, the Unispawn is nowhere in sight, apparently having sunk..... Orca swims to his board and throws his arms over it. The Aquabot pauses for a moment before his optics drift to look into the water. A rainbow-colored film has formed on the water's surface as fluids leak from the Aquabot's internal maintenance systems. After reattaching the board to its securing clamps, Orca barrels forward and dives under the water. The law of physics applies right now. Even as Orca dives under the water...he's suddenly met with resistance. In the form of a Reaver barreling upwards at a frightening speed, both arms splayed forward, fully intending for a collision of sorts. Streams of bubbles trail behind the Unispawn as he rushes to the surface...and his target, the water about his feet boiling from the heat generated by his thrusters. Object meets immovable force......one of them has to give. Having started his descent with an uncertain pursuit, Orca only had minimal momentum on his side. The Unispawn crashed into the Aquabot with tremendous force, impacting Orca unexpectedly... his arms and legs flail about thrashing in the water. Charon dosen't even stop there, continuing to life with hellspawned power coursing through his limbs. He tears himself free of the water, soaring straight -up-, and intending to take Orca with him in the process. "Foolish Autobot......your tactic has only drawn you that much more time.....until your destruction!" his growl rips forward. Orca tries to roll over the shoulders of Charon, his body writhing like a large python. He kicks his feet back, followed by a ripple-like maneuver with his knees, legs, and then his body. The arms carry out the wave motion and snap in unison with the head. Charon lets Orca fall free, as he angles higher into the sky, until almost nothing more than a dot. It's there.....that he transforms, and pulls back in a powerful flip, crescent wings leaving twin contrails in his path. The normally silent engines kreen loudly, propelling the fighter to an impossible speed as it soars right back -down- again.....letting loose with a hail of laserfire from twin rotary cannons mounted next to its cockpit. Charon folds downwards, extending his legs and arms and covering them with his wings, melding together to form a reaver fighter. Orca flails loosely in the air after breaking free. Falling through the sky headfirt, he peers back above to see the pursuing fight. Orca crosses his arms over his face as the laser volley sears throug the surrounding air. Individual beams slice through his exterior armor, puncturing it with tiny explosive holes. Streams of smoke and mist follow his increasing descend through the air. Tilting his head back to look at the ocean below, Orca straightens his body and much as possible, locking his arms at his sides and pointing his feet to lessen his air resistance. Reaver Fighter pulls up sharply after the attack run, cutting it's speed rapidly. A slow, lazy loop back brings the Reaver back to a course to follow the Autobot's descent..and another dark chuckle rolls forward from him. "Oh.....what a shame......that you cannot fly to save yourself..." Orca pulls his arms toward the front of his body, cradling them against himself. He cups his fingers; a white glow appears as he pulls his rifle from subspace. Pointing it over his head toward the approaching surface, he wildly fires. The blasts shoot into the water with a dizzying array of spray and foam. Ocean water churns from repeated laser fire into bubbling domes as Orca smacks into their midst with a tremendous splash. More bubbles, the result of air surrounding Orca being pressed into the water during impact, churn the surface. There is a loud hiss of sea foam for several moments... then the water calms... and Orca is nowhere to be seen. The Reaver's wings split in half, revealing arms and legs that unfold into Charon's form. Charon transforms again, gliding down towards where he saw the Autobot splashdown. His singular optic visor ripples steadily....with the rush of battle still not having worn off. "Only now....do you feel the true extend of Unicron's might..." Underwater, Orca sinks toward the bottom. He doesn't know if the Unispawn is pursuing him, but the Aquabot is barely able to keep himself operative. A distress beacon will have to wait... it may take a while to be rescued, but Orca is comfortable knowing that he is where he is because of his own choice. Charon swoops down to the sufrace of the water, hovering just above it. Slowly, he reaches down and takes ahold of a floating piece of debris....Orca's debris. The Unispawn smirks in satisfaction, stowing away the 'trophy' for himself later. "Rust Autobot...and pray you do not live to witness the Day of Judgement that approaches...." he speaks to the water's surface. Then...without another word, he turns and soars skywards again, lifting gently into the sky and out of sight......